From a rare solo show by island photographer Ray Pfortner to a throng of artists unfurling works at the Vashon Summer Arts Fest, this Friday night art crawl has something for everyone.
In addition to the the following listings, other art venues and businesses — including Allison Crain Trundle Arts, Anu Rana’s Healthy Kitchen, Camp Colvos Brewing, Gather Vashon, Giraffe, Herban Bloom, Island Paper Chase, Kronos, May Kitchen + Bar, Raven’s Nest, Red Bicycle Bistro & Sushi, Vashon Bookshop and Vashon Brewing Community Pub — will be open for business and offering art, music or both.
Most spots are open from 6 to 9 p.m.
Vashon Center for the Arts
The arts center will open its second annual Summer Arts Fest, running July 5 through Aug. 25. The festival will showcase and sell artwork by more than 100 local visual artists in 40 solo and collaborative exhibits held in the Koch Gallery, the Fong-Wheeler atrium, and Mann Gift shop. The Fest will boast a new exhibit opening every Friday throughout the summer.
Lynann Pollite, the gallery business manager of VCA, said it was a chance to see work both by familiar island artists as well as people who had never before exhibited their work.
“It really is like no other show,” she said.
The grand opening will be on July 5, with a show that features solo works by Kim Farrell, Lindsay Dakota, Robin Jones, Roman Zlobin, Taylor Renno, and Vladimir Luna. Michelle Lassaline and Nate Clark will also debut a group show.
On July 12, Gordon R. Barnett will showcase 200 of his sterling, gold and bronze jewelry bells. Simultaneously, the Vashon MakerSpace will have a group show curated by Neil Wiesblott and featuring the work of Bob Powell, James Chesney, Jeff Berend, Jude Spaith, Lee Beck, Maria Higuera, Mary Rose O’Reilley, Odin Lonning, Steve Caldwell and Steve Schllossman.
On July 19, Christopher Allen, Jo Robinson, Karlista Rickerson, Kate Munson, and Lenard Yen will mount solo shows and Jon-Eric Schafer will bring in a group show of plein air painters.
July 26 will mark the opening of a group show in VCA gift shop curated and presented by Christine Beck and Waterworks Studio. Artists will include Christine Beck, Dale Randles, Darsie Beck, Ginny Ciszek, Jeaneen Bauer, Jeff Good, John Moore, Kate Rutherford, Ken Fulton, Kim Farrell, Lin Holley, Mary Shemeta, Ray Pfortner, Steve Silva and Zoe Cheroke.
There will also be another group show by Vashon Clay Community, featuring 20 clay artists who range from the masters to newer potters. Artists will include Abraham McBride, April Dalinis, Barbara Wells, Christine Beck, David Blad, Eric Nelsen, Gale Lurie, Jane Neubauer, Jon Eric Schafer, Karen Fevold, Lin Holley, Lisa deFaccio, Liz Lewis, Marla Smith, Mary Hosick, Mary Lynn Buss, Mary L. Robinson, Mary Rose O’Reilley, Roxanne Thayer and Sonja Bergstroem. Alisara Martin and Kris Pedrin will round out the show with solo exhibits.
Vashon Summer Arts Fest is a juried festival open to all local artists. Kevin Hoffberg, who is the executive director of VCA, said that the festival has now accepted 100 percent of its submissions.
Café Luna
In conjunction with Vashon Heritage Museum’s “In & Out: Being LGBTQ on Vashon Island,” members, friends and family members of Vashon’s LGBTQ community have created terracotta faces honoring LGBTQ islanders, past and present. Potter Liz Lewis led the process of the creation of the works on display.
Nan Leiter’s “Ina Oppliger (My North Star)” is included a group clay portrait exhibition honoring past and present members of Vashon’s LGBTQ community. The works were made in conjunction with Vashon Heritage Museum’s “In and Out: Being LGBTQ on Vashon Island,” under the tutelage of local potter Liz Lewis (Courtesy Photo).
The DOVE Project
DOVE, an agency that supports survivors of domestic violence, will show “Stop Chicken Me Out,” a poster series by empowerment advocate Collin Veenstra. The posters, featuring a variety of boundary-respecting and identity-affirming cats, llamas, opossums and chickens, were created to communicate key messages around identity respect, LGBTQ youth support and sexual violence prevention. The exhibit will also include anonymous postcard artwork from people across both Tacoma and Washington State, sharing more messages on these themes. The DOVE Project’s office is located in the building behind AJ’s coffee stand.
The Hardware Store Restaurant Gallery
Island photographer and educator Ray Pfortner will exhibit “25,” a rare solo show of his work. The title celebrates not the number of pieces in the show (there will be many more than that) but rather, the fact that Pfortner has now reached the milestone of 25 years of island residence. All the photographs are of Vashon and Maury Island. Some have been shared before, but others will be new to islanders.
Hastings-Cone Gallery at Snapdragon
The gallery will have a show of illuminated etching by Sue Hardy, with DJ Michael Whitmore providing tunes.
Judd Creek Ranch Gallery
“Indoor/Outdoor: Surprising Finds,” a group show of 10 artists who create functional and sculptural works for indoor and outdoor spaces, will be on display. Gus Reeves will play music. The gallery is open from 5 to 9 p.m.
Margaret in the Hallway
Painter Margaret Heffelfinger will have an exhibition called “Soul-Full — The art of the soul.”
Starving Artist Works (SAW)
Island sewers and crafters Eileen Burke and Meredith Neal Pickerel, who work as the team In Spite of Our Shelves, will present an eclectic assortment of hand-crafted items. Known for their quirky designs and use of fun fabrics and vintage notions, the pair loves to create one-of-a-kind bags and accessories.
VALISE Gallery
“Landscape/Seascape/Escape,” a group show, will include work by VALISE members Lenard Yen, Pascale Judet, Bonnie Wilkins, Jiji Saunders, Rachel LordKenaga, George Wright, Rober Passig, Hita Von Mende and Sharon Shaver. Works will depict sky and water tableaux, wavy blue oceans, land and sea color fields, intimate forest views, dark encaustics, geometric abstractions, spirit guardian goldfinches and animal-filled trees.
Vashon-Maury Heritage Museum
With rare evening hours, the museum will be open from 6 to 9 p.m., continuing to show “In and Out: Being LGBTQ on Vashon Island.” The exhibit explores the rich history of LGBTQ people on Vashon, and their challenges, contributions and visions. This Friday will also be the first chance to bid on a silent auction full of Vashon-centric experiences. The auction will run through Festival Friday, July 19.
Vashon Senior Center
Odie Hendershot will exhibit “Longing for the Winds to Change” a collection of her paintings and sculpture of the faces of immigrants, reflecting their struggles and triumphs. The Senior Center is on Bank Road.
